2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback: The Bulldog For The Budget-Minded

• The 2020 Toyota Yaris is ideal for anyone living on a strict budget. 
• It packs a lot of punch with a peppy engine and plenty of connectivity.
• Safety features are numerous, including three advanced braking systems.

We no sooner take the 2019 Yaris sedan on an extensive test drive, and Toyota is already previewing the 2020 Yaris Hatchback! Zipping through Denver and around the mountain curves outside the city, the 2019 Yaris is a blast to drive. The little car hugged the road and entertained us with its six-speaker sound system. For around $20,000, it’s hard to beat. And by all accounts thus far, the 2020 Toyota Yaris will be as well.

Setting The Stage

Toyota describes it as the physical representation of the modern hatchback formula; meaning a fun, efficient, and affordable car. With the 2019 Yaris, we were impressed by the amount of standard features, something not readily expected given the price point. The general assumption is an inexpensive car warrants the bare bones in terms of features and technology. While the 2020 Toyota Yaris certainly won’t contain what a Lexus will, the automaker is still hoping to surprise us with just how much they can stuff in the little cruiser.

Case and point: there’s even a first aid kit inside the 2020 Yaris Hatchback.

2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Technology On Tap

The 2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback receives a seven-inch touchscreen and a display audio system that runs through six speakers. Connectivity treatments include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice recognition, USB ports, and an auxiliary input for various devices. Drivers can control the phone and audio functions from the steering wheel. The XLE trim receives a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake.

LE and XLE grades now have navigation, although an accessory SD card must be purchased through the dealer to activate it. Navigation is a fine addition to the 2020 Toyota Yaris, despite the extra cost. (Hopefully it won’t be too expensive).

Premium Treatments

Every 2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback comes with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, body-color side mirrors and door handles, and a chrome tailpipe tip. The heated and power-adjustable outside mirrors have built-in LED turn signals. Other standard features include keyless entry, push-button start, and a backup camera. Automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic LED headlamps are standard on the higher XLE trim.

2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback interior layout. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The Bulldog Bites

The 2020 Yaris Hatchback benefits from a “cab-rearward” design, something Toyota says gives the car its “hunkered-down, bulldog-like stance.” Styling aside, Toyota wants to make sure this puppy can park. The new Yaris has a tight 32.2-ft. turning circle, despite a wheelbase nearly 2.4 inches longer than the prior model. City dwellers will appreciate this, especially as they navigate the grocery store parking lot at 5:30 pm on a Friday with the rest of planet.

The 2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback is a bulldog with a backbone. For example, the body structure is 65 percent ultra-high tensile strength steel, part of a continuous framework using straight beams wherever possible for maximum strength. Toyota says the higher structural integrity means the MacPherson strut front and torsion-beam rear suspension will yield better driving dynamics. This type of steel-intensive structure will transition to better fuel economy and greater safety as well.

On the steering and braking front, Toyota employs a rigid steering mount for a lighter, more direct feel. The bake pedal is tuned specifically for corners; smooth to the press when entering a turn, then getting stiffer as lateral forces come into play through the corner. During our review of the 2019 Toyota Yaris sedan, we thought the brakes were nicely balanced for daily driving. And that will likely be the same with the 2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback.

Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Related: Toyota tops recent study on reliability and longevity.

Safety & Security

One of the bigger concerns with a smaller car like the Yaris is safety. Completing the steel-intensive structure are numerous standard safety features, like Toyota’s Low-speed Pre-collision Safety System. If a potential frontal collision is detected, an audio/visual alert and braking assistance are designed to automatically activate. Should the driver not respond, the system may automatically apply the brakes.

Diving deeper, we see three essential (and standard) braking systems meant to give the smaller Yaris a stronger footprint. Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) is the first; then Brake Assist, and the Brake Override System.

Electronic Brake-Force Distribution

In so many words, this helps keep a vehicle stable when braking. During a sudden stop, for example,  momentum can cause a vehicle to tilt forward, reducing the braking effectiveness of the rear tires. EBD balances this by redistributing that brake force accordingly. When carrying cargo – say everything from groceries to laundry – sensors recognize the weight on the rear axle. Thus, brake pressure increases on the rear wheels because of the extra weight.

Brake Assist & Brake Override System

In a similar fashion, Brake Assist detects sudden or “panic” braking and applies full pressure in an attempt to mitigate or prevent a collision. The Brake Override System automatically reduces engine power when the brake and accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain conditions.

Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Related: Mid-premium goodness. An in-depth look at the 2019 Toyota Yaris.

Power & Performance

An appetite for fun versus fuel! The 2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback features a 1.5-liter in-line four with 106 horsepower. The high compression ratio (12.0:1) and direct injection system should provide plenty of zip. The six-speed automatic’s torque converter locks in all gears for quicker shifts and better fuel efficiency. And there’s even a Sport Mode!

To cut road noise, Toyota placed sound-absorbing material inside the tailgate, parcel shelf, and spare wheel well; this in addition to a noise-insulating windshield.

Pricing & Availability

We will know more when the 2020 Toyota Yaris officially debuts at this year’s New York International Auto Show. We do know, however, that when it arrives, Stealth, Graphite, Pulse, Sapphire, Chromium, Frost, and Icicle will be among the color choices.

Carl Anthony studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan. Before returning to school, he simultaneously held product development and experiential marketing roles in the automotive industry. 

Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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2019 VW Arteon: Tremendous Value But Will It Actually Sell?

• The 2019 VW Arteon arrives at dealerships this month.
• Front-wheel drive models start at $35,845; $37,645 for all-wheel drive.
• VW says the Arteon combines the space of a sedan with the design of a coupe. 

So they’re really making this thing? “This thing” being the 2019 VW Arteon, a top-of-the-line, all bells and whistles halo car VW seems to think everyone wants. Every so often, VW does something like this. They made a Passat with half of a Veyron engine, a W8, 15 years ago. They made this big luxo sedan, the Phaeton, a couple of years after that. Nobody bought them. Why? A couple of good, solid reasons.

So what makes Volkswagen think it’s going to work this time around with the 2019 Arteon?

Lessons Learned?

Near as I could tell, the W8 Passat and the W12 Phaeton failed to hit sales targets for two main reasons. One, when something went wrong with either of those engines (and sooner or later, something always did), it’s like you had to suddenly write a check for a new sailboat. And two, why buy a top-of-the-line VW loaded with every possible performance and luxury feature on the planet, when, for a few dollars more, you could buy nearly the same thing from BMW or Mercedes-Benz or Audi – shoot, Audis are pretty much Volkswagens already!

But whatever, VW does not seem concerned with those questions, but they do seem concerned with people knowing about the Arteon.

2019 VW Arteon. Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Value Proposition

So here we are. The Arteon (I will not make a comment on that name, no I will not) is loaded down with every high-tech means to move you, stop you, change directions for you and, in the meantime, keep you warm and dry and safe and happy. VW says the Arteon will do this for . . . holy smokes, this thing only costs $36,000?! That’s nuts. That’s about what an Audi A4 goes for, and the Arteon has all the features of an A8 (okay, an A6 at least).

In other words, VW is going down the same road it did with the W8 Passat and W12 Phaeton; lots of bang for your buck, but nobody bought them.

Here’s what you get for that $36,000 starting price (they top out around $45,000 for the full-zoot model). There are three trim levels: the SE, SEL, and SEL Premium. Even the “base” SE has most anything a modern luxo-barge buyer would want these days.

The performance-inspired R-Line package, with its more sporty treatments, is available on every trim level. Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

2019 VW Arteon SE

The front-wheel drive Arteon SE, starting at $35,845, features a 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged TSI engine. Not very impressive in the engine department, sure, but everything else is. For an extra two grand you can get an Arteon SE with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Standard exterior goodies include 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a chrome grille, and dual trapezoidal exhaust tips.

On the inside, the SE has leatherette seating surfaces, heated front seats with 12-way power adjust, and four-way lumbar support. Keyless access with push-button start fires the whole thing off, and there’s three-zone automatic climate control for when you’re underway. The SE also comes with a leather-wrapped and multi-function steering wheel, rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The brushed metallic décor bits are all over the place, along with stainless-steel door sills and pedal caps.

There’s tons of multimedia stuff crammed into the dash: an eight-inch Composition Media infotainment system with SiriusXM, Bluetooth connectivity (of course), two USB ports, and eight speakers. Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. Standard driver assist features include Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert.

And all that stuff is in the “entry-level” SE!

2019 VW Arteon interior layout. Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Related: An in-depth look at the 2019 VW Arteon.

2019 VW Arteon SEL & Premium

VW ups the game with the Arteon SEL, which starts at $39,995 for front-wheel drive; $41,795 for all-wheel drive, neither of which are unreasonable. The standard LED headlights now have an Adaptive Front-lighting System. There’s a panoramic sunroof, power-folding mirrors with memory, remote start, Nappa leather seating surfaces, and ambient lighting. This time, it’s an eight-inch Discover Media infotainment system with navigation and a 12.3-inch Volkswagen Digital Cockpit display.

There’s also Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go along for the ride.

At the top of the heap, we have the Arteon SEL Premium starting at $44,945. The SEL Premium, riding on 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, is only available with all-wheel drive. The interior receives a heated steering wheel, paddle shifters, ventilated front seats with a massaging driver’s seat, heated rear seats, and again, brushed aluminum décor all over the place. The 700-watt Dynaudio stereo with 12 speakers should be loud enough to make even Nikki Sixx want to turn it down.

Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

A Great Vehicle Indeed

So yes, the new Volkswagen Arteon is an amazing car, loaded down with features you’d expect in something costing twice as much. And yes, the 2019 VW Arteon would be the smart choice concerning cost versus value. But no, VW probably won’t end up selling enough of them. More’s the pity. They seem like great cars.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 

2019 VW Arteon Gallery

Photos & Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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Review: The 2019 Husqvarna Svartpilen 701

Of all the Husqvarna street bikes, none has been so hotly anticipated as the Svartpilen 701. Especially by riders who love the forward design and ride dynamics of its Vitpilen café racer sibling, but can’t get along with its ergonomics.

Excitement hit fever pitch when Husqvarna announced (at EICMA last year) that the Svartpilen 701 was indeed going into production. And like its 401 stablemates, the factory bike is as close to the original jaw-dropping concept as you can get.

But what’s it like in the flesh? Does that neo-retro flat track style translate into a decent street bike? Do pastéis de nata custard tarts taste better in Portugal than anywhere else? I traveled to Lisbon to find out the answers to these burning questions.

In simple terms, the Svartpilen 701 is a different riff on the Vitpilen 701 that we reviewed last year: trading café racer style for a hit of flat track flavor. The design is more neo-retro than it is throwback; futuristic even, with a clear nod to Husqvarna’s Scandinavian roots.

All the body panels are plastic—and that’s OK because they’re also light. The build quality’s right up there too, and everything feels carefully considered and well finished.

The number board and headlight combo, fork guards and tail section are all clear flat track cues. And the combination of the single rear number board and exhaust, both on the right, echoes the asymmetrical design typical of race bikes.

The Svartpilen 701 is also stacked with neat details. Check out that silver line that runs down from the seat and tank junction, and how it lines up perfectly with the exhaust hangar.

The head and taillights are both LED items, and there’s a ring-shaped daytime running light that’s becoming a signature of the Husky street range.

Bronze finishing on the tank cap and engine covers breaks the all-black scheme, and the branding is super-subtle. The saddle is covered in synthetic fabrics, but the combo of a suede-like upper and perforated sides looks high-end.

And that duck-tailed section is actually a piece of high-density foam, making it a sneaky (albeit hardly practical) pillion seat.

If black isn’t your thing, Husqvarna will be building 500 Svartpilen 701 ‘Style’ units too (below)—but only for the European market. They trade the black paint for an all-bronze finish, with spoked wheels and a handful of tasty catalog parts.

Underneath the Svartpilen 701’s swanky exterior, you’ll find a chromoly frame and a 693 cc single-cylinder motor, both borrowed from the KTM 690 Duke. And that’s a good thing: the liquid-cooled, 4-valve single is a total gem with dual counter-balancers to suppress vibration.

It’s good for 75 hp and 72 Nm, and the overall package weighs under 160 kg. That gives it a horsepower-to-weight ratio only a tiny fraction less than the figures Indian are quoting for the FTR1200, that other hotly-anticipated roadster influenced by flat track design.

Power is handled by a ride-by-wire throttle, a six-speed box and a slipper clutch. Switchable traction control is standard issue, along with Bosch ABS and Husqvarna’s ‘Easy Shift’ clutch-less shifter.

The Svartpilen 701 is refreshingly well-kitted throughout. The 43 mm upside-down forks and the rear shock are from WP Suspension, and both are adjustable for compression and rebound. There’s 150 mm of travel at both ends—15 mm more than the Vitpilen 701.

Both ‘Pilens use five-spoke alloy wheels, but the Svartpilen gets a size bump to an 18” up front (with a 17” out back). Brembo brakes and Pirelli MT60 RS tires round out the package.

Up in the cockpit, you’ll find wide, upright bars to counter the Vitpilen’s clip-ons. The speedo’s been pitched up to match the riding position, the switchgear is standard fare, and the clutch and brake levers are adjustable.

With more suspension travel and a bigger front wheel, the Svartpilen has a touch more ground clearance and a higher seat (835 mm) than the Vitpilen. Add to that the higher bars, and it makes for a far more commanding riding position.

Which, Husqvarna tell us, was exactly the point. They designed the Svartpilen 701 with ergonomics that’d make it ideal for urban exploration—and better for everyday use. And to prove just how much of an all-rounder the bike is, our hosts plotted a route that would take us through Lisbon’s grid-locked streets, along the Atlantic coast and up into some twisty mountain roads.

Within seconds I knew I’d have a tough time being objective about the Svartpilen 701. That’s because Husqvarna have pretty much built my ideal motorcycle. Even for my six-foot frame, the Husky’s ergonomics feel flawless; a solid mix of comfort and control.

With its low weight and oodles of low-down torque, the 701 springs off the line. The ride-by-wire system gets the power down without any hiccups or burps, making the throttle crisp and responsive.

The traction control does its thing without ever feeling too invasive, but turn it off, and the 701’s immediately more wily—in a good way. I couldn’t wheelie if my life depended on it, but some of my fellow riders spent plenty of time with the front wheel in the air.

The Husky’s Easy Shift setup gives you a quick shifter on upshifts, and an auto-blipper down. It works a treat and adds an extra dose of fun, but it’s not completely flawless—I found a couple of false neutrals between fifth and sixth.

Our ride saw us battling traffic in town and attacking corners in the hills. Again, the Svartpilen 701’s low weight and confident ergos helped it shine in both situations. The surefooted chassis is happy to tip toe through tight spaces, and then flick through turns in anger.

Even with their dirt track aesthetics, those Pirelli MT60 RS tires don’t sacrifice much grip on asphalt. I pushed them surprisingly hard into turns and they stuck, giving me plenty of warning if they were close to breaking away. The Brembo stoppers performed really well too; sharp, but with plenty of feel.

It makes the Svartpilen 701 the perfect recipe for hooligan antics: low weight, agile handling and snappy acceleration. But it’s not without its limitations.

Even though it holds decent speed on the highway and runs smoother than you’d expect a thumper to, there is still some vibration through the seat and bars. And although the seat’s surprisingly cushy for its thickness, it starts to falter after about 150 km. So while the 12-liter fuel tank gives decent mileage, I wouldn’t pick the 701 for long days in the saddle.

I’m also not a fan of the Svartpilen’s round dial. I love the display itself, which packs a lot of info into a well-arranged design, but the unit is much bigger than the actual display area. (There’s apparently a lot of circuitry packed in there.) And the speedo buttons are near impossible to operate with gloves on.

I’m not sure that it’s a deal breaker, but it sure is something that needs improving—because the rest of the motorcycle works so damn well.

Husqvarna is pitching the idea of a simple machine that makes you fall in love with motorcycling again—and they’ve nailed it. The Svartpilen 701 is a no-frills whip that does exactly what it says on the tin: hoon around while looking really fly.

If there’s a catch, it’s the price. At $11,999 in the US, the Svartpilen 701 is in the same territory as established performers like the Ducati Monster 821 and Triumph Street Triple R.

Which means it ain’t cheap. But it sure is good—and well worth a test ride, if you’re looking to add a sporty and stylish middleweight to your garage.

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Images: KISKA GmbH, Schedl R., Romero S., Campelli M.

Wes’ gear
Shoei EX-Zero helmet
100% Racecraft goggles
Harley-Davidson Trego riding shirt
Knox Urbane armored shirt
Saint Unbreakable Stretch denim
Icon 1000 Truant 2 boots

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